Former Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, who is running for mayor of Bacolod City against incumbent Evelio Leonardia in the May 2022 polls, said he has yet to announce his official lineup of candidates.
Benitez issued the clarification amid numerous social media posts of his alleged slate for 2022, some of which included allies of Leonardia.
“The official lineup of candidates for my 2022 slate is still being considered. I will be announcing my decision before the end of September,” Benitez said.
Several photos of Benitez along with his supposed slate have been circulating on social media recently.
One post titled Team Benitez includes the photos of Kalaw Puentevella, Thaddy Sayson, Homer Bais, Patrick Lacson and Jason Villarosa.
Another Team Benitez post also includes the photo of businessman Vladimir Gonzales.
A post titled 1 Bacolod shows Benitez with Rep. Greg Gasataya, councilors Israel Salanga, Dindo Ramos, Bart Orola, Ann Marie Palermo, Cindy Rojas, Simplicia Distrito, Carl Lopez and Al Victor Espino, who are members of the Grupo Progreso of Leonardia.
One post titled “The Big Three” shows Benitez with Gasataya and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who are also allies of Leonardia.
These have been fueling speculation that some allies of Leonardia are joining Benitez’s camp.
Meanwhile, former Mayor Monico Puentevella said Senator Manny Pacquiao will be coming to endorse his mayoral bet for Bacolod City during the campaign period. He, however, refused to name the mayoral bet although it appears that Puentevella is aligning with Benitez.*